Forest fires in tinder-dry Colorado have left much of the state under a smoky haze. That layer of smoke produced this blood-red sunrise over the twin cities of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff at 6 a.m. Saturday. We are spending a week at the Ute Springs Ranch owned by Cara’s mother, Jan Roberts. Every year we experience something new and dramatic. A year ago, a neighbor dog was bitten in the head by a rattlesnake and survived. About eight years ago I videotaped the incredibly sad but heroic act of a young horse trying to lovingly but forcefully stop a dying horse — its long-time stablemate -- from giving up. This year it is a pair of yet-to-fly baby Horned owls who live in two trees next to the main ranch house. They are so young their feathers are still downy. Check back for updates on them. Photos: Norm Clarke

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Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Baby Horned owls waiting for their first flight.

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

One of the baby Horned owls.

Jun 30, 2018

Jul 1, 2018

Jul 1, 2018

The baby owls were no where to found all day Saturday. Had they learned to fly and moved to away from humans? Then, late in the day, I got the answer. On the way to the bunkhouse I spotted the mother on the fence. She went into mama Grizzly mode and immediately flew toward me. Turns out I had walked up while she was giving a lesson. To her far right is one of her babies.

Jul 1, 2018

Jul 2, 2018

Jul 2, 2018

The protective mother immediately headed for me, swooping down twice to send me a message.

Jul 2, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Our pups, Rumor and Scandal, escort Zoey and Pico to the barn Thursday, June 28.

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Cara putting the horses to bed Thursday night.

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

Jun 30, 2018

In what more resembles a painting, a family was moving cattle at 7 a.m. Saturday 6-30-201

Jun 30, 2018

Jul 2, 2018

Jul 2, 2018

This might be the greenest spot we came across in the Wet Mountain Valley on our way back from Salida on Sunday.